The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are 17 goals proposed by the United Nations in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. These goals aim to promote social well-being, economic prosperity, environmental sustainability, and global cooperation. However, as we approach the year 2030, progress towards these goals is not evolving as expected.
In response to these challenges, the UN published the “Europe’s Sustainable Development Report 2023/24”, which highlights that none of the 17 SDGs are on track to be achieved by 2030, emphasizing the need for decisive action. According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), digitalization directly benefits 70% of the SDGs. Therefore, to achieve these goals, the EU must continue to promote the role of digital technologies and connectivity in the green transition.
Ten Key Priorities for Achieving the SDGs
Multiple UN studies state that while progress has slowed down, the goals remain achievable. To achieve them, the UN has established ten key priorities that the EU must focus on, with digitalization playing a crucial role:
1. Significantly reduce the risk of poverty and social exclusion for European citizens.
2. Double efforts to achieve net-zero emissions in the EU by 2050, with significant progress by 2030.
3. Strengthen regional and local authorities in achieving the SDGs, monitoring and reporting on progress regularly.
4. Counteract negative international indirect effects and support the transformation towards a sustainable trade system.
5. Harness Team Europe for global diplomacy on the SDGs.
6. Enhance Europe’s multilateral role, leading global efforts to reform the global financial architecture.
7. Redirect EU’s international partnerships towards the SDGs.
8. Mobilize financial means for transformations towards a sustainable future.
9. Institutionalize the integration of SDGs into strategic planning, macroeconomic coordination, budgetary processes, research and innovation missions, and other policy instruments.
10. Establish new permanent mechanisms for structured and meaningful engagement with civil society, including youth.
Digitalization for Society
Digital solutions improve people’s quality of life, facilitate equitable growth, and protect the environment. According to the UNDP’s Digital Acceleration Agenda for the SDGs, digital solutions can contribute to achieving most of the SDGs.
1. Poverty reduction (SDG #1): Digitalization can reduce the percentages of the population at risk of poverty by enabling access to financial institutions and new economic opportunities.
2. Sustainable agriculture (SDG #2): Projects like Smart Agro use IoT, 5G, and machine learning to develop more ecological food production with lower environmental impact.
3. Health and well-being (SDG #3): e-Health allows millions of people to access affordable and quality medical services. Projects like 5G Blood Diagnosis improve citizens’ well-being.
4. Quality education (SDG #4): Online learning closes the educational gap. Projects like Profuturo provide quality digital education to children in vulnerable environments.
Digitalization for Sustainability
Digitalization enables other industries to be more sustainable, helping to reduce CO2 emissions, better manage water, and produce and consume products more sustainably.
1. Water management (SDG #6): Smart water management improves the measurement and monitoring of supplies, reducing leaks and optimizing resource use.
2. Affordable and clean energy (SDG #7): Digitalizing electricity grids enhances operational efficiency and resilience, reducing energy consumption.
3. Climate action (SDG #13): ICT helps save around 20% of global CO2 emissions, facilitating the decarbonization of various industries.
4. Responsible production and consumption (SDG #12): Digital solutions optimize the use and distribution of resources, reducing electronic waste and improving sustainability.
Conclusion
As we approach 2030, progress towards achieving the 17 SDGs is not on track. Digitalization offers tools and solutions that can significantly accelerate this process, benefiting the economy, society, and the environment. It is essential for the new European Commission to incentivize these technologies to ensure that the EU is on track to achieve the SDGs before 2030.